Textile undergarment with sweat protection

ABSTRACT

A textile undergarment includes an inner side directed toward a body of a wearer, and an outer side which is arranged opposite to the inner side. At least one region of the textile undergarment is formed in at least two layers via an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer forms the inner side of the textile undergarment from a liquid-absorbing textile material. The outer layer forms the outer side of the textile undergarment from a 3D knitted fabric which prevents a transfer of a liquid from the inner layer to the outer side of the textile undergarment.

The invention relates to a textile undergarment which comprises an inner side directed toward the body of a wearer and an outer side opposite said inner side.

If an item of textile clothing is worn during sport or other strenuous activities, the wearer may start to sweat, which might be unpleasant for various reasons. The item of clothing absorbs the sweat from the skin of the wearer, which may mean that the sweat is visible from the outside. If the sweat does not evaporate quickly enough, the item of clothing will become very moist, which may be unpleasant for the wearer and also dangerous due to the risk of the wearer catching a cold.

In the field of clothing, a number of functional textiles are therefore now known which are intended to transport sweat as quickly as possible away from the skin of a wearer of the item of clothing, i.e. away from the inner side of an item of clothing, to the outer side of the clothing, so that it evaporates there. Items of clothing that have a two-layer structure, with a 3D mesh structure provided on the inner side of the item of clothing so as to allow air to reach the skin, have also been proposed. A 3D mesh structure is intended to prevent contact between the skin of a wearer and a further outer textile layer. Document JP 3046374 for example discloses an item of clothing of this kind.

In addition it is usual to wear undergarments beneath an overgarment, such as a shirt, so that sweat does not pass directly into the overgarment, but instead is first absorbed by the undergarment. If a particularly large amount of sweat forms, however, the sweat may pass nevertheless into the overgarment and thus spoil its appearance. In particular in the case of activities such as dancing, in which overshirts are worn by men, this may mean that the sweat is visible on the overshirt and does not evaporate quickly enough.

Proceeding from this basis, the object of the invention is therefore to provide an item of textile clothing with which the spoiling of the appearance of an overgarment by sweat of a wearer can be reduced.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a textile undergarment according to independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the undergarment are described in dependent claims 2-13.

It is noted that the features stated individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically feasible way and illustrate further embodiments of the invention. The description in particular in conjunction with the figures characterizes and specifies the invention additionally.

The textile undergarment according to the invention comprises an inner side directed toward the body of a wearer and an outer side opposite said inner side. At least one region of the undergarment is formed in at least two layers in that an inner layer lies on the inner side of the undergarment and is formed from a liquid-absorbing textile material, whereas an outer layer lies on the outer side of the undergarment and is formed from a 3D knitted fabric which prevents the transfer of liquid from the inner layer to the outer side of the undergarment. The undergarment is preferably an undergarment for the upper body, at least comprising a back portion and two arm openings.

Such an undergarment, when worn beneath an overgarment, has the advantage that the inner layer effectively absorbs any forming sweat from the skin. By means of the outer 3D knitted fabric, the moist/wet inner layer, however, is not in direct contact with the overgarment, and therefore the sweat does not pass as far as the overgarment. The inner layer soaks up sweat and in some cases sticks to the skin. The outer layer formed of 3D knitted fabric, however, produces a barrier between the moist inner layer and overgarment. The overgarment thus remains sweat-free, and therefore its appearance is not spoiled. Even if sweat penetrates through to the overgarment, this does not occur over the entire area, but only at certain points. This spoils the appearance of the overgarment to a lesser extent than large sweat areas.

The textile undergarment according to the invention thus has effective sweat protection. The invention moves away from solutions in which sweat is to be transported as quickly as possible from the inner side to the outer side of an item of clothing. It also moves away from solutions in which a 3D knitted fabric is arranged between the skin of a wearer and a further textile layer in order to keep the sweat away from the textile layer. Rather, the invention provides an undergarment with an inner layer that is deliberately designed to absorb sweat as effectively as possible and to hold onto it. The inner layer may become saturated with sweat, and in some circumstances this may produce an unpleasant feel on the skin, since the primary objective of the invention is, rather, to keep sweat away from an overgarment worn over the undergarment. The invention therefore also comprises an arrangement formed of an undergarment according to an embodiment of the invention and an overgarment, wherein the undergarment is arranged beneath the overgarment such that the outer layer of the undergarment lies between the inner layer and the overgarment and is contactable by the overgarment.

In the region with inner layer and 3D knitted fabric provided in accordance with the invention the undergarment is formed in at least two layers. If further layers are provided, the arrangement is selected at least such that the 3D knitted fabric always forms the outer layer. For example, more than one inner layer can be provided in order to absorb the sweat. The undergarment, however, has the 3D knitted fabric outwardly in order to hold the inner layers and the overgarment at a distance from one another.

The materials and the structure of the inner layer and the 3D knitted fabric are selected accordingly so as to perform the described functions. For example, the inner layer is formed by a textile formed from natural fibres and/or synthetic fibres and on the whole is of a hydrophilic nature. For example, fibres formed from cotton, wool, bamboo, etc. are considered to be natural fibres. Textiles formed from such natural fibres absorb the sweat particularly well. Fibres formed from natural or synthetic polymers are considered to be synthetic fibres or chemical fibres. Fibres formed from inorganic substances may also be used. Mixtures of natural and synthetic fibres, however, are also possible. The textile material of the inner layer is formed into a woven or knitted fabric that is as flexible and resilient as possible and which does not hinder the movement of the wearer.

The inner layer for example has a thickness of up to 2 mm and is relatively thin.

The 3D knitted fabric of the outer layer is preferably formed from fibres having hydrophobic properties, in particular from fibres formed from natural polymers, synthetic polymers and/or from inorganic substances. For example, they are fibres formed from polyester, polyacrylic, polypropylene, polyamide and/or elastane, although mixtures of different fibre types can also be used. With corresponding processing, the 3D knitted fabric absorbs and transports liquid, such as sweat, only poorly. This can be achieved in different ways, wherein a 3D knitted fabric shall be understood within the meaning of the present invention to mean a two-dimensional knitted fabric which has been extended, however, in the third dimension. The knitted fabric is warp-knitted or weft-knitted, although combinations are also possible. It is also not a homogeneous knitted fabric with a certain thickness, but instead is inhomogeneous and comprises a special spacer structure between two outer layer faces, which spacer structure inhibits the transfer of liquid. In particular, air inhibits the transfer.

For example, the 3D knitted fabric of the outer layer is formed from a spacer warp knit or spacer weft knit which is formed by two two-dimensional warp-knitted or weft-knitted layers which are connected to one another at a distance by an intermediate spacer structure. The spacer structure is formed for example by a plurality of spacer yarns (pile yarns) which connect the two warp-knitted layers to one another. Spacer warp knits or spacer weft knits of this kind are knitted fabrics that have been extended by the third dimension. They are typically formed also as a 3D mesh. The spacer structure between the two two-dimensional warp-knitted or weft-knitted layers prevents the transfer of liquid (sweat) from one warp-knitted or weft-knitted layer to the other. The fibres of the warp-knitted or weft-knitted layers are also preferably selected such that they have hydrophobic properties.

The thickness of such a 3D knitted fabric is determined by the thickness of the warp-knitted or weft-knitted layers and the length of the pile yarns. What is sought is a sufficiently large distance between the inner layer and the outer side of the 3D knitted fabric, wherein the 3D knitted fabric also must be thin enough so that the outer layer does not stand out noticeably beneath an overgarment and/or does not hinder the movement of the wearer. For example, the thickness of the outer layer is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, in particular between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. Even if the inner warp-knitted or weft-knitted layer of the outer layer absorbs sweat by way of contact with the inner layer, the sweat will pass only with difficulty via the pile yarns to the outer warp-knitted or weft-knitted layer, which in turn may be in contact with an overgarment.

Openings are also preferably formed in the warp-knitted or weft-knitted layers, and the size of these openings is suitably selected. The size can be selected in particular such that the 3D knitted fabric has a desired flexibility, but has a contact face toward the inner layer which is as small as possible so as to thus keep any absorption of sweat to a minimum. These openings are not openings that are formed necessarily in stitches of a knitted fabric, but instead the warp-knitted or weft-knitted fabric forms the edge of larger openings by a plurality of stitches. The width of an opening is for example more than a millimetre.

In another embodiment of the invention the 3D knitted fabric of the outer layer is formed by a warp knit or weft knit having two outer layer faces which are distanced from one another. The outer layer faces are the opposite faces of the outer layer in the direction of its primary extent. A warp knit or weft knit in this case forms a lattice structure which has a three-dimensional extent between the two outer layer faces. A stitch face with openings without stitches is also formed on at least one outer layer face. The lattice structure formed by a warp knit or weft knit is therefore not only formed three-dimensionally, whereby it forms a spacer structure, but on one side of the outer layer also forms a face of stitches that is interrupted by openings. The openings in this case too are not openings that are formed necessarily in stitches of a knitted fabric, but instead the warp knit or weft knit forms the edge of larger openings by a plurality of stitches. The width of an opening is for example more than a millimetre.

The outer layer may in this case consist exclusively of such a three-dimensional lattice structure, or the lattice structure is formed in a warp-knitted or weft-knitted layer, which is used as the basis for the lattice structure. The outer layer, in the latter case, is arranged within the undergarment such that the lattice structure either points toward the inner layer or forms the outer side of the outer layer. The lattice structure prevents the transfer of liquid (sweat) through the outer layer, since it creates a distance between the outer side and the inner layer of the undergarment. The fibres of this 3D knitted fabric are also preferably likewise selected such that they have hydrophobic properties. In addition, the openings in the stitch face on at least one outer layer face mean that the contact area to an overgarment and/or the inner layer is reduced.

The thickness of such a 3D knitted fabric is determined by the thickness of the lattice structure and the optional warp-knitted or weft-knitted layer for forming the basis for the lattice structure. For example, the thickness of the outer layer is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, in particular between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

The invention may be realized in different kinds of undergarments. However, it is particularly advantageous in undergarments for the upper body, i.e. in undershirts. These comprise at least a back portion and two arm openings and can be formed wholly or partially at least in two layers with a spacer warp knit. Furthermore, a front part and sleeves may be provided. Since a strong development of sweat often occurs on the back of a wearer, at least a back portion is formed in two layers in one embodiment of the invention. Further regions, such as arm openings or sleeves, may also be formed in two layers, or this is provided only for the back portion. The one-layer regions of the undergarment are preferably formed from the same textile material as the inner layer in the two-layer region.

The undergarment, however, does not necessarily have to be formed like a conventional undershirt with a front side and back side. Rather, an undergarment having only a back portion and two arm openings is sufficient. For example, this is provided in the case of an undergarment that has the form of a waistcoat or bolero that is open at the front.

The 3D knitted fabric is preferably permanently connected to the inner layer. However, the connection may also be releasable, for example via press studs, hooks, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc. A permanent connection can also be provided in different ways. The connection is preferably not provided over the entire area of the 3D knitted fabric, but only locally. In this way the outer layer remains movable relative to the inner layer to a certain extent. The combination of inner layer and 3D knitted fabric is thus not a prefabricated layered structure, but is provided merely by two individual textiles connected to one another. For example, the outer layer is connected to the inner layer by sewing, gluing or other connection methods suitable for textiles. A sewn connection is preferably selected.

In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the outer layer is connected to the inner layer at a connection line which runs circumferentially on the outer layer. The connection of the 3D knitted fabric to the inner layer is then provided for example exclusively at the outer edge of the outer layer. However, further connection points may also be provided within the area of the outer layer. The outer layer may also be connected to the inner layer continuously along this circumferential connection line. However, a plurality of local connection points which are arranged on a circumferential connection line may also be provided. If a sewn connection is selected as connection method, it may be constituted by a circumferential seam for example, by means of which the edge of the spacer warp knit is connected to the inner layer.

Both the inner layer and the 3D knitted fabric preferably are skin-coloured or are white, so that beneath a white overshirt they are at least hardly noticeable, or are not noticeable at all, due to their colouring.

Further advantages, specific details and expedient developments of the invention will become clear from the dependent claims and the following presentation of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The drawings show:

FIG. 1 a front view of a first embodiment of an undergarment according to the invention;

FIG. 2 a rear view of an undergarment according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A a side view of an undergarment according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B a view of the neck region of an undergarment according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a front view of a second embodiment of an undergarment according to the invention;

FIG. 5 a rear view of an undergarment according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 a schematic depiction of a two-layer region of an undergarment;

FIG. 7 a schematic depiction of a spacer warp knit in a two-layer region of an undergarment;

FIG. 8 a further schematic depiction of a two-layer region of an undergarment;

FIG. 9 a schematic depiction of an undergarment between wearer and an overgarment;

FIG. 10 a three-dimensional view of a 3D mesh;

FIG. 11 a second embodiment of a 3D knitted fabric with lattice structure in a schematic side view;

FIG. 12 a plan view of a 3D knitted fabric according to FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 a third embodiment of a 3D knitted fabric with lattice structure in a plan view.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an undergarment 10 according to the invention, wherein the undergarment is an undershirt which is formed as a waistcoat or bolero that is open at the front. It has a back portion 11, on which two short sleeves 12 and 13 are formed. The sleeves 12, 13 can be sewn as individual parts onto the back portion 11, or the back portion 11 and sleeves 12, 13 are formed integrally from a continuous textile in which the sleeves 12, 13 are formed by a cut and corresponding seams. This undergarment 10 is formed in two layers in at least one region, wherein the two-layered form is achieved by an inner layer and an outer layer. In particular, only the back portion 11 is formed in two layers, however this may also be the case optionally for the sleeves 12, 13. The undergarment 10 is thus formed as a whole by a textile that in a two-layered region is formed by adding an outer layer to an inner layer.

FIG. 2 shows an undergarment 10 of this kind in a rear view, whereas FIG. 3A shows a side view and FIG. 3B shows a view of the neck region of an undergarment according to FIG. 1. The sleeves 12, 13 form an arm opening each, 14 and 15, and in the upper region of the back portion there is formed a neck cut-out 16. The two-layered form in the region of the back portion 11 is achieved by an outer layer 40, the edge of which is fastened to the back portion 11. This is realized preferably via a circumferential sewn connection 50. The extent and attachment of the outer layer 40 via a sewn connection 50 can be seen from the rear view of FIG. 2. This embodiment, however, shall be understood to be merely exemplary, and in particular the form of the outer layer may also be selected to be different.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a front view and rear view of a second embodiment of an undergarment 10′ according to the invention. This is formed more as a waistcoat and less as a bolero, and therefore two narrow front sides 17 and 18 are also provided in addition to the back portion 11 and two sleeves 12, 13. An outer layer 40 sewn on via a sewn connection 50 can again be seen in the rear view of FIG. 5, where it can be seen that the outer layer 40 in this embodiment has a different cut as compared to that in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The cut may therefore be adapted to the design of the particular undershirt.

The outer layer 40 is arranged here on the outer side of the particular undergarment. This two-layer design can be seen in the schematic depiction of FIG. 6, which shows a detail of a two-layered region, such as the back portion. The undergarment, which is two-layered in this region, has an inner side 20, which points toward the wearer of the undergarment. The outer side 30 of the undergarment is arranged opposite. An inner layer 41 is situated on the inner side 20, and an outer layer 40 is situated on the outer side 30. The inner layer 41 is formed by a liquid-absorbing textile which can absorb and store the sweat from the skin of a wearer. The outer layer 40, by contrast, is formed by a 3D knitted fabric.

In one embodiment of the invention the 3D knitted fabric 40 is formed by a spacer warp knit (3D mesh). The exemplary structure of such a 3D mesh 40 is shown in the schematic depiction of FIG. 7. It is formed by two warp-knitted layers 42 and 43, which are connected to one another at a distance by a spacer structure 44. This spacer structure 44 is formed by a plurality of pile yarns, which are connected to the warp-knitted layers 42, 43. Weft-knitted layers may also be used, alternatively to the warp-knitted layers.

FIG. 10 shows a three-dimensional view of such a spacer knit 40. It can be seen that openings 45 are formed in the warp-knitted layers 42 and 43, which openings are preferably aligned with openings in the other warp-knitted layer in each case. The openings 45, however, may also be arranged offset from one another. Furthermore, the 3D mesh may also comprise other forms of knits.

The inner layer 41 and outer layer 40 may be connected to one another in different ways in the two-layered region, wherein in particular this is not provided over the entire area.

For example, FIG. 8 shows in a schematic depiction how an outer layer 40 is connected to an inner layer 41 via two sewn connections 50 and 51. There may thus be a spacing between the two layers 40, 41, and this is not a prefabricated layered structure. Rather, two individual textiles are suitably connected to one another, this being implemented preferably at the edge of the outer layer 40. Optionally, further connection points may also be provided within the area of the outer layer 40.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic depiction of an undergarment 10 between the body 60 of a wearer and an overgarment 70. The absorbent inner layer 41 of the undergarment 10 points toward the body 60 and can absorb sweat from there. The outer layer 40 with the 3D knitted fabric by contrast points toward the overgarment 70 and thus produces a barrier between moist inner layer 41 and overgarment 70.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of a 3D knitted fabric 40′ in a schematic side view. This 3D knitted fabric is a warp knit or weft knit with two outer layer faces 48 and 49, which are merely shown by dashed lines in FIG. 11 since they are not flat, continuous faces. The two outer layer faces 48, 49 are distanced from one another, and the warp knit or weft knit of the knitted fabric forms a lattice structure 47′ which has a three-dimensional extent between the two outer layer faces 48, 49. The lattice structure 47′ also forms a stitch face, with openings without stitches, on at least an outer layer face. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the lattice structure 47′ forms, for example on the outer layer face 48, a stitch face 46, in which there are situated a plurality of openings 45. The lattice structure 47′ is also formed on a base layer 47, which forms the outer layer face 49 and likewise consists of a warp knit or weft knit. By means of the three-dimensional lattice structure 47′, a distance is produced between the base layer 47 and the outer layer face 48 and prevents the transfer of liquid, i.e. sweat. The lattice structure 47′ may be directed toward the inner layer of the undergarment, or it forms the outer side of the undergarment.

In the plan view of FIG. 12 the outer layer face 48 lies at the top, and therefore the stitch face 46 with the openings 45 is visible. The openings 45 in this case have a substantially hexagonal form, but may also have a different form. The underlying base layer 47 can be seen in the openings 45. In a further embodiment of the invention a 3D knitted fabric 40″ does not have a base layer, but instead consists merely of a three-dimensional lattice structure formed from a warp knit or weft knit with a plurality of openings. For example, FIG. 13 shows such a lattice structure without a base layer, similarly to FIG. 12. The openings 45 are thus continuous.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   10,10′ undergarment, undershirt -   11 back portion -   12,13 sleeve -   14,15 arm opening -   16 neck cut-out -   17,18 front portion -   20 inner side of the undergarment -   30 outer side of the undergarment -   40,40′,40″ outer layer, 3D knitted fabric -   41 inner layer -   42,43 warp-knitted layer, weft-knitted layer -   44 spacer structure, pile yarns -   45 opening -   46 stitch face -   47 base layer -   47′ lattice structure -   48,49 outer layer face -   50,51 connection line, sewn connection -   60 body -   70 overgarment 

1. A textile undergarment comprising: an inner side directed toward a body of a wearer; and an outer side which is arranged opposite to the inner side, wherein, at least one region of the textile undergarment is formed in at least two layers via an inner layer forming the inner side of the textile undergarment from a liquid-absorbing textile material, and an outer layer forming the outer side of the textile undergarment from a 3D knitted fabric which prevents a transfer of a liquid from the inner layer to the outer side of the textile undergarment.
 2. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein, the outer layer is formed by a spacer warp knit or by a spacer weft knit, and the spacer warp knit or the spacer weft knit is formed by two two-dimensional warp-knitted layers or by two two-dimensional weft-knitted layers which are connected to one another at a distance by an intermediate spacer structure.
 3. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein, the outer layer is formed by a warp knit or by a weft knit, the warp knit or the weft knit comprises two outer layer faces which are distanced from one another, and the warp knit or the weft knit form a lattice structure comprising a three-dimensional extension between the two outer layer faces and which forms a stitch face with openings without stitches on at least one of the two outer layer faces.
 4. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 3, wherein the openings without stitches have a form which is substantially round or polygonal.
 5. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein the textile undergarment is for an upper body and further comprises: a back portion; and two arm openings.
 6. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner layer is formed by a textile formed from at least one of natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
 7. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed from fibers formed from at least one of natural polymers, synthetic polymers and from inorganic substances.
 8. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein a thickness of the outer layer is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
 9. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 5, wherein the back portion is formed in two layers.
 10. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer layer is connected to the inner layer by sewing.
 11. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer layer is connected to the inner layer at a connection line which runs circumferentially on the outer layer.
 12. The textile undergarment as recited in claim 1, wherein the textile undergarment is provided as a waistcoat which is open at a front.
 13. An arrangement comprising: the textile undergarment as recited in claim 1; and an overgarment, wherein, the textile undergarment is arranged beneath the overgarment so that the outer layer of the textile undergarment lies between the inner layer and the overgarment and is contactable by the overgarment. 